Ultrarunner, coach, and best-selling author Jenny Hadfield began running to

lose weight, but, as many people do, she quickly fell in love with it.

However, one thing about the running world Jenny didn’t love was the formulaic, one-size-fits-all training plans that didn’t accommodate for busy lives.

She began working with runners to create training that fit their unique makeup as well as their schedules outside running. She works to make running more accessible, and she’s a large part of the reason the sport has seen such a boom over the last 20 years.

In this episode, Jenny shares her experiences and philosophies to show us that there is a more practical approach to training - not only with our busy schedules but also with our bodies.

Questions Jenny is asked:

3:30 How did you first get into running?

6:14 When you first started did you see yourself doing all these extreme distance races?

8:10 What have been some races that you feel were defining moments in your career?

10:02 What were some of the difficulties you encountered along the way and how did you overcome them?

12:30 How do you use your experiences to help the athletes that you currently coach?

15:14 How exactly did you get into coaching?

17:57 What is the F.L.O.W.-based training system?

27:48 How do you coach your female athletes to train in sync with their menstrual cycles?

31:59 Do you think there will be more research on post-menopausal athletic performance?

33:41 At what point would you advise a woman to consult a physician for irregularities?

39:36 What is your nutritional philosophy that you use with your athletes?

43:19 Which calorie trackers would you recommend?

46:09 Are athletes hurt more by the quality or quantity of their fueling choices?

47:24 What’s a good in-race Marathon refueling strategy?

49:43 What advice do you have for beginning runners?

51:24 Can you tell us more about the color-coding system for tracking training?

53:36 What’s next for your own running and for your company?

55:36 Are your running vacations open to just anyone?

Quotes by Jenny:

“Running was always delivered in a form of punishment in team sports, so my association with running was painful and I didn’t like it.”

“Every race that we train for and finish can be a pivotal moment; there’s always a learning lesson that’s involved.”

“I learned early on that a template program is not going to work for everyone.”

“I believe injuries are an opportunity for growth.”

“I really needed to use my education in terms of fitness and exercise science and apply all those principles to a runner’s life, and really it was a mortal’s life and they wanted to run.”

“But what I saw (when GPS watches came out) were runners going from tuning into their bodies, listening to your breath to looking at a number and defining whether it was a good run or a bad run or a fantastic race or a failure based on what they saw on that watch.”

“There’s such a negative stigma about menstrual cycles and it’s one of the most powerful tools we have as women and once we embrace it and understand it and work with it, you will feel better because you’re now giving your body what it’s asking for.”

The best way you can show your support of the show is to share this podcast with your family and friends and share it on your Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media channel you use.

If more people who know about the podcast and download the episodes, it means I can reach out to and get through to the top running influencers, to bring them on and share their advice, which hopefully makes the show even more enjoyable for you!

He is a two-time Olympian, six-time U.S. champion, the 2013 World Championship silver medalist, and the fourth-fastest American of all time in the 800 with a time of 1:42.95.

He’s one of America’s best track athletes ever, and, at the age of 33, he’s retiring.

Well, at least from the track.

Nick’s passion for running and his relentless desire to do more has him turning his sights to a new, slightly different challenge: the marathon.

Nick will toe the line at the Honolulu Marathon this December 10th, 2017, and he admits that he’s going to have quite a few barriers to overcome in the months ahead (barriers many of our listeners know too well).

Listen in as Nick reflects back on his incredible career, discusses his objectives for both the Honolulu Marathon and his company Run Gum, and shares his insight on the art of setting goals and working towards them.

P.S. Make sure you enter theRunAloha Sweepstakesfor a chance to win an all-inclusive, 4-day trip to run with Nick Symmonds at the Honolulu Marathon!

Questions Nick is asked:

3:48 What would you say have been a couple of career defining moments for you in retrospect?

4:52 When you started running in High School, did you ever envision the career you had?

5:37 What about a low point and how did you get past that?

6:56 What led you to start Run Gum?

8:35 Had you been thinking about this type of product for a while before you started your own company?

10:15 How long does it take for Run Gum to deliver a caffeine peak?

11:28 What led you to decide to retire and has that decision been bittersweet?

12:48 Having retired from the track, but not from running, what made you choose to run a marathon?

14:45 What difficulties do you anticipate as you train for the marathon?

16:57 How have you used visualization in the past?

18:44 Can you tell us about the RunAloha Sweepstakes?

19:40 Can you tell us a little more about Run Gum?

23:18 How smoothly has the Run Gum company launched?

24:29 How has starting your own business impacted your decision to retire?

26:22 Why did you choose to sit out the 2015 World Championships?

28:51 Do you have any regrets about it?

30:06 Will you continue fighting for athlete’s rights in the years to come?

31:44 Do you anticipate Run Gum’s antitrust lawsuit against USATF and the USOC will be resolved in time for the next qualification trials?

35:50 How can listeners help facilitate improvement of athlete’s rights?

37:06 What has been your opinion of doping and cheating in the running world?

39:13 How did you continue to compete knowing you were running against runners who were likely doping?

42:31 What is your favorite flavor of Run Gum?

Quotes by GUEST:

“I didn’t love running; I actually hated it at the time, but I enjoyed practice, I enjoyed the team.”

“I wouldn’t necessarily advise athletes to start a brand or company while their still competing.”

“I’m going out on my terms. I’m not being forced out for financial reasons or due to injury, my body just doesn’t do what it used to do and that’s OK.”

“If you take the time to visualize every single scenario unfolding, then when you’re in the race and you only have a ¼ second to make a decision, you’ve already made it. You’ve already played that out in your mind.”

“I’m not saying that Run Gum is for everybody, but if you’re in need of energy and focus in a lightweight, affordable, easily consumed package this is for you.”

The best way you can show your support of the show is to share this podcast with your family and friends and share it on your Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media channel you use.

If more people who know about the podcast and download the episodes, it means I can reach out to and get through to the top running influencers, to bring them on and share their advice, which hopefully makes the show even more enjoyable for you!

Closing the Gap Between Who We Are and Who We Can Be - With Adam Goucher & Tim Catalano

Adam Goucher & Tim Catalano met at the University of Colorado where they ran together under esteemed coach Mark Wetmore. It was there that a lasting friendship was born, and Tim and Adam later went on to pen a book on their combined experiences and studies.

The book is calledRunning the Edge, and it is as much about life as it is about running.

Running the Edgeserved as a philosophical foundation for their business, Run The Edge, a community of fitness and fun based in Boulder, Colorado. The ultimate goal of Run The Edge is to help people around the world improve their fitness and overall well-being, and to encourage all levels of transformation and growth through community support.

Adam and Tim are big believers in the power of reflection and self-awareness, and as they strive to help others better themselves in running and beyond, they’re continually working to do the same.

Take a listen and learn how the power of positive psychology can help us close the gap between who we are and who we can be.

Here are some of the topics we’ll discuss today:

Adam and Tim’s running background

Key principles in their book,Running the Edge

How successful running and successful living are intertwined

The importance of self awareness

Why having multiple sources of passion is important

How the challenge of running changes as we age

Questions Adam & Tim are asked:

3:56 How did you start running and what sparked your interest in it?

8:01 What inspired you to write your book Running the Edge?

10:53 What are some of the principles from the book?

12:47 How do these principles relate to your company and how did you come up with the name Run The Edge?

15:02 What are “The Six Mirrors”?

16:27 Did you have any learning or self-discovery moments as you wrote the book?

20:59 What is the dynamic like of being longtime friends and working together?

24:27 Did this dynamic exist between you back in college?

27:04 How do you advise people to find other passions without sacrificing their running?

31:30 What advice do you give to older runners, especially older beginners, who may be past their peak conditioning?

35:20 In your book, what do you mean by the Distance Maven and how did you come by that term?

40:29 What is your Amerithon Challenge?

44:55 Is there a time frame requirement for completing the challenge?

46:40 Can people join in any time after the launch?

47:34 Are most of your clients in America or overseas?

48:15 What’s in the future for Run The Edge?

Quotes by Adam & Tim:

“It’s weird how (running) can make you happy and miserable all at the same time.”

“We didn’t want to write a normal running book.”

“Am I applying myself to the point where I’m working as hard as I can and doing things the right way? Because if I am, then I will be successful.”

“Here’s what I really am. And here’s my ideal self, which is where Icouldbe and try to look at the gap between those two things.”

“Awareness is the key. Once you are aware of your shortcomings, you have the ability to fix them.”

“You’ve gotta be more than a runner.”

“I’ll never be as fast as I once was, but that doesn’t mean I can’t challenge myself to do new and different things.”

The best way you can show your support of the show is to share this podcast with your family and friends and share it on your Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media channel you use.

If more people who know about the podcast and download the episodes, it means I can reach out to and get through to the top running influencers, to bring them on and share their advice, which hopefully makes the show even more enjoyable for you!

Closing the Gap Between Who We Are and Who We Can Be - With Adam Goucher & Tim Catalano

Adam Goucher & Tim Catalano met at the University of Colorado where they ran together under esteemed coach Mark Wetmore. It was there that a lasting friendship was born, and Tim and Adam later went on to pen a book on their combined experiences and studies.

The book is calledRunning the Edge, and it is as much about life as it is about running.

Running the Edgeserved as a philosophical foundation for their business, Run The Edge, a community of fitness and fun based in Boulder, Colorado. The ultimate goal of Run The Edge is to help people around the world improve their fitness and overall well-being, and to encourage all levels of transformation and growth through community support.

Adam and Tim are big believers in the power of reflection and self-awareness, and as they strive to help others better themselves in running and beyond, they’re continually working to do the same.

Take a listen and learn how the power of positive psychology can help us close the gap between who we are and who we can be.

Here are some of the topics we’ll discuss today:

Adam and Tim’s running background

Key principles in their book,Running the Edge

How successful running and successful living are intertwined

The importance of self awareness

Why having multiple sources of passion is important

How the challenge of running changes as we age

Questions Adam & Tim are asked:

3:56 How did you start running and what sparked your interest in it?

8:01 What inspired you to write your book Running the Edge?

10:53 What are some of the principles from the book?

12:47 How do these principles relate to your company and how did you come up with the name Run The Edge?

15:02 What are “The Six Mirrors”?

16:27 Did you have any learning or self-discovery moments as you wrote the book?

20:59 What is the dynamic like of being longtime friends and working together?

24:27 Did this dynamic exist between you back in college?

27:04 How do you advise people to find other passions without sacrificing their running?

31:30 What advice do you give to older runners, especially older beginners, who may be past their peak conditioning?

35:20 In your book, what do you mean by the Distance Maven and how did you come by that term?

40:29 What is your Amerithon Challenge?

44:55 Is there a time frame requirement for completing the challenge?

46:40 Can people join in any time after the launch?

47:34 Are most of your clients in America or overseas?

48:15 What’s in the future for Run The Edge?

Quotes by Adam & Tim:

“It’s weird how (running) can make you happy and miserable all at the same time.”

“We didn’t want to write a normal running book.”

“Am I applying myself to the point where I’m working as hard as I can and doing things the right way? Because if I am, then I will be successful.”

“Here’s what I really am. And here’s my ideal self, which is where Icouldbe and try to look at the gap between those two things.”

“Awareness is the key. Once you are aware of your shortcomings, you have the ability to fix them.”

“You’ve gotta be more than a runner.”

“I’ll never be as fast as I once was, but that doesn’t mean I can’t challenge myself to do new and different things.”

The best way you can show your support of the show is to share this podcast with your family and friends and share it on your Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media channel you use.

If more people who know about the podcast and download the episodes, it means I can reach out to and get through to the top running influencers, to bring them on and share their advice, which hopefully makes the show even more enjoyable for you!

When Skechers Performance athlete Esther Atkins realized she didn’t quite possess the genetics to become an 800 meter specialist, she set her sights on something different - and it’s lucky she did.

One of America’s best marathoners today, Esther was the 2014 US Marathon champion and earned a spot on the World Championships Marathon team in 2015.

With a blazing personal best of 2:33:15 and many more achievements to her name, it’s clear Esther found her calling.

But just as with most runners, Esther’s career has not been without its setbacks.

From severe performance anxiety to plain old bad races, Esther has persevered through a lot to become the accomplished competitor she is today, and she credits a large part of her success to avoiding comparisons and focusing on her strengths.

Listen in as Esther shares her inspiring story and her tips for capitalizing on the strengths unique to you and your body.

Here are some of the topics we’ll discuss today:

Esther’s running background

Esther’s worst race ever and what she learned from it

How to bounce back from bad days

Mental toughness

The pitfalls of comparison

Determining and maximizing your strengths

Tricks for setting goals

Questions Esther is asked:

3:37 How did you first get into running?

8:40 How did your collegiate running turn into becoming a career marathoner?

17:19 What were some of the strategies you used to manage your pre-race anxieties?

21:29 What sparked your passion for the marathon?

27:54 Would you consider that 3rd marathon a defining race that changed the course of your career?

28:23 What did you credit that great pace to?

30:26 Why do you consider your 2nd marathon one of your worst races and what were your takeaways from it?

41:20 How do you bounce back after a bad race?

44:13 What is one of your proudest accomplishments to date?

47:01 What are your tips for enjoying every day and the process that is being a runner?

51:27 What advice do you have regarding setting goals?

53:54 How do you advise people to avoid the comparison rrap?

58:26 What's next for you and Skechers?

Quotes by Esther:

“Pick a point in the race where the people around me at this point are the people I’m racing - that’s my race. And if I beat all the people around me or that person in front of me….that’s me winning the race.”

“At 30k….I stepped off the course and sat down and I had a little pity fest….and then I started walking and then I started jogging because I was like ‘this is going to take forever’. Then I heard this voice over the PA….say in German, ‘Come on, ladies. Four of the top sixteen have already dropped out. Come on - just have fun like the rest of us!’ And I was like ‘you are so right’.”

“As I got so much better at the marathon, I was like ‘oh all my other times are going to get so much faster’, and it just didn’t happen that way.”

“A coach that I worked with at Rider, Bob Hamer - he’s the head coach there - he had his own version of it from yoga class where it’s just focus on your own mat and your own practice, and that’s so important to happiness. The key to happiness is not comparing yourself.”

Mentioned in this podcast:

The best way you can show your support of the show is to share this podcast with your family and friends and share it on your Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media channel you use.

If more people who know about the podcast and download the episodes, it means I can reach out to and get through to the top running influencers, to bring them on and share their advice, which hopefully makes the show even more enjoyable for you!